The talk from Carol was on the subject of Portraiture! This can bring some photographers out in a cold sweat (and I have to admit to being one of them ... !) simply because they become very uncomfortable when trying to direct a model or even family and friends! I would imagine that is why architecture and landscape photography are so popular - I've not yet come across any building or landscape scene that has turned around and said "I think this is my better side ... "
I would also imagine that most models pose because they enjoy it and would be very receptive to being directed by a photographer - when all said and done the photographer knows (or at least should) exactly what they want to get out of the shoot. And any model should understand what is required of them. On the face of it a model is probably a better person to direct rather than family and friends. But family and friends are familiar and probably easier to talk to initially.
It's very important to know what you want from the shoot, especially if you are using your hard earned cash to pay for a studio hire and a model fee. Pre planning is key - it's no good getting to the studio with your kit, a model and maybe a stylist or two only to realise you are not 100% sure of what you want to get out the session. And this is going to cost you your hard earned cash so you had better of planned something!
There is an adage which states that "Failing to plan is planning to fail" and this would be very appropriate for portraiture. Time spent before your session in setting out what it is exactly you want to achieve is time very well spent. Create a timetable of planned activities - state what you are going to do, what costume or props you are going to use (if any), who will be modelling (if you have more than one model), who is doing the styling. And don't forget to allow time to set up your kit and reset it if different concepts or techniques are being tried.
As well as 'straight' portraits - and by that I mean the model being photographed in front of a normal background, there is the option of 'green screening' a portrait and then creating a composite with a previously photographed scene be it indoor or outdoor
. But please remember to 'ground' your portrait and add an appropriate amount of shadowing to make it all look natural.Now this might sound as though I know what I'm doing! Sadly, as previously mentioned, I am very uncomfortable taking portraits but at least if I do mange to pluck up the courage to give it a go I will at least have had some sound advice from Carol.
For more on Carole follow the link on the right to her website.